There are plenty of great work outdoors jobs around. These aren’t just part time opportunities either – they are full-on careers. You may have to scramble a little to get your foot in the door but once you do, you’ll be loving the outdoor life. Here are 5 of the coolest jobs out there and how to get them.
1. Demolitionist
Ever dream of taking perfectly good buildings and reducing them to rubble? If so, you’ve found your dream job. If you have a degree that’s fine. But this is one of many jobs you can have even if you do not have a degree from college just as well. Generally demolitionists are skilled machine operators that take buildings apart piece by delicious piece. Of course there is danger involved in this profession. But as long as you are careful and follow safety standards, you’ll have a long career of destroying lots of stuff. You’ll move around to different sites and spend most of your day outside. In fact, you’ll take places that used to be “inside” and turn them into “outside”. Now that’s creative.
Skills Needed
You’ll have to be a responsible person and take direction. This is job that really requires team work so you need to be a team player. You’ll also have to become skilled in using heavy machinery. You can do this a couple of ways.
First, you can start off as an apprentice in the construction industry. You’ll run light equipment at first and work your way up to the big stuff. When you graduate to the bulldozers and computer equipped hogs you’ll need more training.
There are also formal operating engineer apprenticeship programs that provide vocational skills training. Check out the International Union of Operating Engineers for more information. These programs usually last 3 years but at least they offer paid training.
Finally, you can attend a private careere college but be careful. Make sure the school has a good reputation. To really learn this trade you’re going to have get out there and run the equipment. Classroom learning isn’t enough.
2. Farmer
Do you dream of green acres? Consider being an agricultural or livestock farmer. Believe me; this job will keep you outside all day long. The hours are demanding and the weather can be challenging. But think of it this way, you won’t need a gym membership to stay in shape.
Before embarking on this career, do your homework. It can be difficult to make farming a financial success. Obviously you’ll need experience before you open your own place.
Here’s a novel way to get lots of experience fast. If you are highly motivated, get on a plane and visit Israel. It’s not too hard to land a volunteer job at a kibbutz which is a communal farm. I know from first-hand experience that anyone willing to really work hard can advance quickly. Find a kibbutz that is involved in the farming activities you are most interested in. Contact them and ask about opportunities to volunteer. If you work hard, you’ll be running the entire operation in no time. Then come back and implement your new found farming skills.
3. Search and Rescue Helicopter Pilot or Crew
This may seem like a stretch but it this is your dream you can make it happen. On a rescue chopper there are 2 pilots, a radar operator and another service member. Why can’t you be on that team? You’ll be outdoors quite a bit even when you aren’t rescuing people in distress. That’s because you’ll have a ton of training to keep up on.
When you are on duty you’ll be on call 24 hours a day. But the good news is you’ll only work around 9 or 10 days a month. And you know what that leaves plenty of time for? Being outside of course!
You’ll need to be extremely intelligent, flexible and responsible. You’ll need to adapt and think quickly too. And if you ever wondered if you were wasting your time playing PlayStation – you don’t have to wonder anymore. Your hand-eye co-ordination skills are going to come in very handy.
If you want to get on this bird, you’re going to have to work hard. If you have your sights set on becoming a pilot, it’s going to be even more challenging. You could join the Air Force or Navy or course but if you do that you’ll be flying in and out of hot combat zones – bummer. Instead consider the Coast Guard.
Either way, your first step is to contact either the Air Force, Navy or Coast Guard and let them know you want your wings. They will spell out the best path to get you up in the wild blue yonder.
If you want to be a pilot, you have to become an officer. If you are happy being part of the crew, you can simply be an enlisted soldier.
In order to be an officer, you’ll need both a degree from a 4 year school and then you’ll need to be accepted in to the officer candidate training program. Next, you attend flight school if you make the cut. After that, you’ll accumulate hours and then get out there and start searching and rescuing.
4. Bridge Inspector
Local governments need to make sure the bridges in the community are safe and you are just the person to do the job. You’ll go out to various bridges with a small crew, take measurements and look for any structural defects. You’ll have to measure the thickness of the steel and the gaps among other requirements. You’ll then create a report to estimate how much the repair is going to cost your employer. If it costs too much to repair, you might recommend they call in your friend the Demolitionist to take the bridge out.
This job also requires team work and great problem solving ability. Clearly, you are going to need an engineering background as well. As a result, you’ll need a BS degree in structural engineering. Check out the Bridge Engineering Association for more information.
5. Scaffold builder
Unless you are doing touch-up work at the Sistine Chapel, this job is going to keep you outdoors all the time.
To do this job well (and live to tell about it) you’re going to have to be very safety-conscious (always use a safety harness) and physically fit. You’re going to be carrying a huge amount of weight during the day. Once again, you won’t need to hit the gym after you get off work.
The best way to get started in this job is to get accredited through an organization like NCCR.
Basically, all you have to do is take a course and pass an exam. Then, you’ll be creating giant Lego Lands all your own and get paid for it.
As you can see, there are a variety of ways to get outdoors jobs. I don’t know if any of these are a good fit for you and that’s not entirely the point. The point is, don’t settle. Life is not a dress rehearsal. Outdoor jobs may not pay all that much but they can provide all kinds of non-monetary benefits. And if you can’t stand the idea of being cooped up in an office all day long, you don’t have to accept it. And if you’re dying to get outside in the sunshine, it just might be time to change our career. This list provides a few ideas on how to get going.
Do you have an outdoors job? What is it? How did you get into your line of work?
Alan Kipping-Ruane says
I must say though as a Former U.S. Navy Rescue Swimmer, that the Navy must be included with Search and Rescue.
Neal Frankle says
First, Thanks for your service Alan. I certainly agree that the Navy should be part of Search and Rescue. I will make adjustments sir.
Lance@MoneyLife&More says
For high school and college aged kids some great summer outside jobs are life guarding and pool cleaning if you live in the right part of the country.